But Gmail in general is still up and running. A quick check of the status verification website DownForEveryoneOrJustMe indicates the service is still working and no updates have been made to Google's Apps Status Dashboard. UPDATE: The dashboard now shows issues with Google Talk, Google Sheets and Google+ Hangouts, which includes the Gchat function.

For some, Gchat is unable to send messages. Meanwhile, others trying to access Google Drive are receiving this error message: "the server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request."

"We're investigating reports of an issue with Google+ Hangouts," a Google spokesperson told Mashable. "We will provide more information shortly."

The last major disruption of Gmail occurred in January, when the service suffered two major outages over the course of two weeks.

The free email service had roughly 425 million monthly active users as of 2012, making it one of the leading webmail services in the United States, along with Yahoo and Microsoft's Outlook (which was merged with Hotmail in 2013).

As Gmail has grown over the years, users have suffered through occasional service disruptions, but those issues are usually resolved within the same day. However, as Google has continued to tie more of its other services into the free webmail service — such as Google Calendar, Hangouts (chat) and even search — the reliability of the Gmail has become an increasingly vital issue for frequent users of the service.

Google has not issued an official update on the service's status and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UPDATE, March 17, 3:35 p.m. ET:Based on numerous reports, Google's Gchat service has been restored for most users. On Google's app status page, as of 3:28 p.m., the company stated:

The problem with Google+ Hangouts should be resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and continued support. Please rest assured that system reliability is a top priority at Google, and we are making continuous improvements to make our systems better.

BONUS: 15 Vintage Photos of The USPS

15 Vintage Photos of The USPS

1. The "Chesapeake" (1887)

The "Chesapeake," a USPS steamboat.

2. Owney the stray (1895)

Owney was a stray that walked into a post office in upstate New York where he fell asleep on a pile of mailbags. Presumably he became attracted to the sent of the mail because he bagan following them on mail wagons and then trains.

3. Mail-sorting vehicle (1907)

Only two of these mail-sorting vehicles were in service in Wisconsin. They carried mail sorters around as they sorted mail between offices.

4. Horse-drawn delivery (1909)

Posing for a picture on a horse-drawn delivery carriage, a carrier shows off his modified seat with a sling to carry the day's mail.

5. Through rain, sleet and snow (1910)

Using a horse-drawn sleigh, a female mail carrier makes her morning rounds in deep snow.

6. USPS savings accounts (1914)

Ending in 1966, the USPS offered savings accounts to customers looking to hold money in a federal institution with the convenience of the location of a post office.

7. War-time censorship (1918)

During the first World War, the U.S. military began large-scale mail censoring to remove information that could aid the enemy.

8. Airmail is introduced (1918)

The first USPS plane takes off in Washington, D.C. to begin the service's airmail.

10. Rural mail carriers (1925)

Unlike city carriers, urban mail letter carriers had to provide their own transportation such as the Ford pictured. Though they weren't required to wear a uniform, the unidentified carrier in this picture purchased and wore one on his routes.

11. Modified Ford Model-T (1926)

A modified Ford Model-T fitted for carrier service in inclement winter weather.

12. James A. Farley Post Office (1936)

At the James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York City, mail carriers head out on their morning rounds.

13. Making the rounds (1947)

Post workers would collect mail from tree-mounted boxes.

14. "Mailsters" on parade (1954)

To introduce their latest three-wheeled carrier vehicles and celebrate the holidays, postal workers organized an appearance in a parade in Maryland.

15. The "Mailster" (1955)

A city "mailster," a three-wheeled motor vehicle that was introduced following the second World War to help transport the ever-growing amount of mail.

City letter carrier seated in a three-wheeled "mailster" motor vehicle. Carriers used these vehicles to carry the ever-increasing amounts of mail that was being delivered to American households after end of the Second World War.

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